The Garden Under Glass

224 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS rubbed through a half or quarter inch sieve. In this way they are introduced to the compost in a comparatively fresh condition, and will last much longer than if they had been allowed to rot. With regard to animal manure, horse, cow and sheep are more commonly used. Any of these should be passed through a half-inch sieve. Horse manure, as is well known, is often used for making mushroom beds. After having produced a goocl ci'op of mushrooms the manure will be in an ideal state for mixing in potting soil, for it will have lost most of the virulence incidental to freshness. Cow manure should be dried, and afterwards broken to pass the sieve. Sheep manure may be used in like manner. Artificial manures are dangerous to meddie with, and in using them in potting composts the directions should be fully read. Usually it is safe to use a 5-inch potful to a barrowload of soil, though more may be used when it is known that the strength is not great. The best advice I can give is to use the preparations cautiously at first, noting at each time the amount used, so that, should success attend it, the quantity on the next occasion may be similar, or reduced if it has proved to be too much. Bones, bone meal and steamed bone dust are often classed with artificials. They are slower in action, and may be used more freely than specially prepared manures. The younger the plant the less stimulant should be given in the way of artificial or Chemical fertilisers. Indeed, some growers will not on any account use them for young plants, though I am convinced from positive practice that far from injuring the young plants, the admixture of a little artificial fertiliser is of considerable benefit to them.